Life gradually returned to normal for Hermione. She felt safer with her brother, friends, and godfather and willing to do anything to protect her.

Hermione continued to avoid Ron because she wouldn't let him hurt her ever again. Hermione also felt herself growing closer to Harry and it scared her because she never felt romantically attached to him.

One day while in the library, Hermione felt like she was being watched again, but this time, the presence felt more menacing. She quickly packed up her books and left the library.

Hermione entered the Slytherin Common Room and exhaled the breath that she didn't realize she was holding.

"Are you alright Hermione?"

Hermione jumped and she felt Blaise wrap his arms around her waist in an effort to comfort her.

"Yeah, I just felt like someone was following me again," Hermione answered truthfully.

"I'm sure Professor Snape will find who is following you," Draco said as he entered the Common Room.

"Yeah, but I'm really freaked out," Hermione confided to her closest friends.

"We'll get through it together, all of us," Violet voiced and everyone nodded in agreement.

"Thanks guys," Hermione thanked her friends as they each hugged her.

The next morning, Hermione woke up early and sat by herself in the Common Room.

"Hello Hermione," came the familiar voice of Severus Snape.

"Good morning, Professor," Hermione said cheerfully to her godfather.

"I have figured out who's been following you" Snape said and Hermione's eyes widened.

"Who?" Hermione asked.

"Dumbledore, he knew your true identity and with you getting closer to Potter, he feels threatened that you might break the control he has over him," Snape said and Hermione was now furious.

"Harry is one of my best friends and he didn't abandon me when I became a Slytherin. I care about him and now Dumbledore thinks he can ruin that," Hermione ranted until Severus calmed her down with a gentle squeeze to the shoulder.

"I know Hermione, but I think it's time to teach you Occlumency. Dumbledore is a master Legilimien and would penetrate your mind to discover your fears and weaknesses," Severus said to his goddaughter.

Hermione stood up and gave her godfather a hug and smile.

"I would love that, thank you so much," Hermione said before Severus left to get ready for the day's classes.

Hermione walked to her dormitory, got dressed, and grabbed her books for the day. Violet, Pansy, and Daphne finished getting ready and they joined Hermione in the Common Room and they waited for the boys.

Once the 9 Slytherins were all ready, they walked to the Great Hall for breakfast. Hermione sat down at the table and sat in between of Blaise and Violet.

Hermione dared to look at her godfather and he gave her a reassuring smile and Hermione calmed down. But it was short-lived when she saw the Dumbledore was staring at her and wouldn't stop.

Hermione looked around and saw that Ron was glaring at her and Harry was smiling at her. She smiled back at Harry and began to talk with her friends and brother.

Hermione saw that Harry was trying to signal at her with his eyes and she knew that he wanted to talk to her. So she turned to her friends.

"Harry wants to talk to me, so I'll see you guys in Potions," Hermione informed them and she walked out of the Great Hall and Harry followed close behind her.

"Hey Hermione," Harry said when they stopped walking.

"Hi Harry, what did you want to talk to me about?" Hermione asked Harry and he started to blush.

"I-I was just wondering if- ifyouwantedtogoonadatewithme ?" Harry spilled out nervously and Hermione looked shocked, but quickly regained her composure.

"I would love to go on a date with you Harry. I think it will be very sweet," Hermione said and Harry's face lit up 5:00 tomorrow and we'll go out from there," Harry explained.

"Yeah, that sounds great. Do I need to dress up formally?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, but make sure that you can move around in it," Harry told Hermione and she nodded.

"Will do, now we should head to Potions before we end up late," Hermione suggested and Harry agreed.

"Let's hurry,"

The two set off for Potions in a great mood, but they didn't know that Ron had overheard them talking.

In Potions, Hermione sat down with Blaise, and Draco and they immediately turned to her while they waited for Professor Snape to arrive.

"What did Harry want to talk to you about Hermione?" Blaise asked being the overprotective brother he always was.

"Don't freak out, but Harry asked me to go out on a date with him tomorrow," Hermione said and Blaise and Draco looked happy.

"Why would I freak out Hermione? I love it that you might finally have a chance to find the right guy for you" Blaise comforted his sister and the rest of her friends congratulated her on getting a date with her best friend.

Hermione told them that they would continue to talk after classes that day after she saw her godfather enter the room and begin the lesson.

(Time skip to that night)

"How did he ask you Hermione?" Violet asked all excited.

"He asked me really fast if I would like to go on a date with him tomorrow night and I said yes after getting over the shock of him asking me," Hermione said and all her friends smiled and laughed.

"Since tomorrow is Saturday and there isn't any classes, we can spend the entire day getting you ready for your date," Pansy, Violet, and Daphne said at the same time and the boys laughed at their excitement.

"He'll be picking me up here at 5:00 and it has to be maneuverable, but formal clothing. I am so excited that it is really weird," Hermione informed her best girl friends and they nodded.

"But I'm really tired now, so I'm going to bed and you can do whatever you want with me tomorrow, I just want to still look like myself," Hermione specified for her girl friends and they reluctantly nodded.

"Good night everyone and sweet dreams," Hermione said.

"Good night Hermione," all 8 of her friends said at the same time, as they also got ready to go to bed.

Hermione fell asleep that night with dreams of a date with Harry and she felt very happy and giddy about it.